Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan hospital after suffering burns to 80% of her body, following an attack by her partner on Sunday.
Cheptegei, 33, had been undergoing treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. Owen Menach, a hospital spokesperson, confirmed her passing on Thursday.
Uganda’s Olympic Committee president, Donald Rukare expressed his condolences on X, saying: “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei … following a vicious attack by her boyfriend. May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women.”
According to Trans-Nzoia County police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom, Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, purchased petrol, poured it on her, and set her on fire.
“The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her,” Kosiom told the Standard newspaper in Kenya. “The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns.”
Ndiema is receiving treatment at the same hospital where Cheptegei was admitted.
Cheptegei’s parents shared that their daughter had purchased land in Trans-Nzoia to be close to the area’s athletic training centres. A police report indicates the couple had been arguing over the property before the incident occurred.
Cheptegei recently finished 44th in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics and placed 14th in last year’s world championships in Budapest. In 2022, she won the mountain race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.
